Belowground Plot Experiment

PBB03 Belowground Plot Experiment: Belowground plot experiment: biomass and nutrient content of Roots

Abstract: 

To address the potential interactive effects of fire, aboveground biomass removal, and nutrient amendments on above- and belowground responses, a long-term field experiment was initiated in 1986 as part of the Konza Prairie Long-Term Ecological Research (LTER) program. The general goals of this experiment are: 1) to document both short- and long-term responses of plants and soils to fire, aboveground biomass removal (a surrogate for grazing in these small plots), and nutrient amendments (additions of N and/or P); and 2) to provide a better understanding of the mechanisms underlying tallgrass prairie responses to fire, aboveground biomass removal and nutrient enrichment. Standing crops of live and dead grass roots(0.1 sq. m2  x 20cm deep samples) are taken in late summer periodically from 64 belowground plots. N and P content are determined on live and dead grass roots. N and  P concentrations for forb roots are available for some plots in some years. 

Core Areas: 

Data set ID: 

59

Short name: 

PBB03

Purpose: 

To determine the N and P content on live and dead grass roots.

Data sources: 

Methods: 

Location of Sampling Stations: HQ

Frequency of Sampling: Late summer, every 5 years.

Variable Measured: location, plot number, mass of live root, nitrogen percentage of live root, phosphorous percentage of live root, mass of dead root, nitrogen percentage of dead root, phosphorus percentage of dead root, mass of live forbs, nitrogen percentage of live forbs, phosphorous percentage of live forbs.

Methods: Standing crops of live and dead grass roots (0.1 sq. m2 * 20cm deep samples) are taken in late summer every 5 years from 64 below ground plots. N and P content are determined on live and dead grass roots. N and P for forb roots are available for some plots in some year.

For additional metadata information see: http://lter.konza.ksu.edu/sites/default/files/DC.pdf

For additional methods information see: http://lter.konza.ksu.edu/sites/default/files/MM.pdf

Maintenance: 

complete

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